Surprisingly good

[Mark Lanctot]

Just wanted to start a thread about albums that you wouldn't think would be good, but are.

I'll start out with:

Billy Idol - Devil's Playground.

I know, I know! Jeez, you should see the cover!

Despite what you might think, an aging (and sneering!) rocker trying to recapture the heady days of the height of his success, it's not like that at all.

There's a tremendous variety on this album, from hard rock to Tom Petty-esque "dreamy" rock, to metal, to industrial/electronic/techno. Some surprisingly good lyrics too.

[Siduhe]

Lily Allen - Alright, Still

Really wanted to hate this given famous (to the UK at least) father(s) and all the hype, but it's surprisingly good.

Light, self-deprecating and very funny in places. Probably not something I'll put on in five years time, but a great summertime pop album.

[Morbius]

Lily Allen - Alright, Still

Really wanted to hate this given famous (to the UK at least) father(s) and all the hype, but it's surprisingly good.

Light, self-deprecating and very funny in places. Probably not something I'll put on in five years time, but a great summertime pop album.

I hate to say it but I agree!!
Can't stand Keith Allen and was looking forward to slagging off his daughters attempts at pop stardom....but...smile is a great pop song and sounds really good amongst all the other pop pap you hear. Haven't heard the album yet but all reports seem to say it's really rather good.
The scary thing is that Paris Hiltons album is getting good reviews in most places!!! Haven't heard anything from this yet but based on how wrong I was with Lily Allen I guess I better wait until I've heard it before passing judgement!!!!!

[Kyle]

Kelly Clarkson, "The Trouble With Love Is" from the soundtrack for the movie "Love Actually." This is surprisingly good pop with a blues/gospel feel to it. I never watch "American Idol" and was prepared to dismiss Kelly Clarkson, but this song has weight. I'm not familiar with any of her other work.

[funkstar]

Thom York - The Eraser
I expected this to not be as good as i hoped, but was pleasantly surprised, i actually really like it

John Martyn - An Introduction to John Martyn
I'd heard the name on 6Music a few times when they were seaking about other interesting artists, so when i saw this for about £5 in HMV's sale i gave it a go. I'm quite impressed Only listened to it once so far, but it has potential.

[autopilot]

Thom York - The Eraser
I expected this to not be as good as i hoped, but was pleasantly surprised, i actually really like it

Really? I heard that most people would comit suicide the moment they hear this, a bit depressing. But i might have to check it out myself now.

As for me, the album of the week which i really did not expect much from is - Hot Chip: The Warning. Brilliant electro pop, great summer BBQ listening.

[snarlydwarf]

The album I get the most strange looks for recommending is William Shatner's Has Been.

And, no, I am not kidding. (I usually introduce it with, "there is an album with Ben Folds, Joe Jackson, Aimee Mann, Henry Rollins, Adrian Belew..." instead of saying it is Shatner.)

[Philip Meyer]

>The album I get the most strange looks for recommending is William
>Shatner's Has Been.
>
I heard one Shatner song - Common People. I hated the original song (Pulp). I should also of hated Shatner's version, but there was something about it that kept my concentration until the end of the track.

I can't admit to saying it was actually good music though - bit of a novalty. Still, better than the original :-)

Phil

[Mike Meyer]

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed Marilyn Manson's Golden Age of Grotesque. At least the first half of it. Just gotta get past his freakiness and there's some good hard rock music there.

[funkstar]

The album I get the most strange looks for recommending is William Shatner's Has Been.

I'd forgotten this was released. i meant to find a copy when it first came and and people were speaking about it. Sounded interesting

Really? I heard that most people would comit suicide the moment they hear this, a bit depressing.

I've always liked Radiohead, and this is just an extension of what they do really. Might be a bit more sampled and twiddly, with some heavier beats, but it is the same feel.